USF Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017
By Zach Bigalke
The Spartans lost two-year starter Kenny Potter at quarterback. They do, however, return eight defensive starters and seven guys on offense from a team that finished 4-8. Head coach Ron Caragher was sacked after going 19-30 in four seasons.
In comes new head coach Brent Brennan, formerly the recruiting coordinator at San Jose State under Mike McIntyre. Once McIntyre left San Jose, Brennan bounced to Oregon State. He spent the last six years as the receivers coach under Mike Riley and Gary Andersen. Now he has landed his first head coaching gig back with his old employer.
Brennan knows what it takes to build a successful team in San Jose. But it will take time, and a school that gave up nearly 35 points and 250 rushing yards per game is going to have another rough season, veteran defense notwithstanding.
PREDICTION: South Florida 45, San Jose State 17 (1-0)
Though the Spartans have a reasonable hope for improvement in 2016, it will not come at the expense of South Florida. Look for the Bulls to enjoy their trip to the Bay Area with a runaway first half. Strong will scale things back and focus on developing depth in the second half after the Bulls get a four-score lead.